JP7474111B2 - Discharge member and aerosol product using same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a discharge member that discharges a foamable content and an aerosol product using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a discharge member that forms a foamed discharged product having three-dimensional decorativeness and an aerosol product using the same.

Patent document 1 describes a discharge member in which multiple slit-shaped discharge ports are formed on the side of a cylindrical member, and foamable contents are discharged from these discharge ports to obtain foam shaped like carnations or cockscombs.

JP 2017-214147 A

The discharge member of Patent Document 1 has a cylindrical member with a central axial portion that bulges outward in the radial direction and a step formed by a cap-shaped lid member, which makes it easy to hold the foamed discharge material in the nozzle, but even if you try to remove the foam that has adhered to the periphery of the cylindrical member by squeezing the cylindrical member, the bulging portion and step get in the way and make it difficult to remove.

The present invention aims to provide a discharge member that can produce a foamed discharged product with three-dimensional decorativeness and allows the foam adhering around the nozzle to be easily picked up, and an aerosol product using the same.

The discharge member of the present invention is a discharge member 1, 1A that is attached to an aerosol container 11 filled with a foamable content A, and has a nozzle 2 that is formed by a substantially cylindrical tube wall portion 3, an inner peripheral surface of the tube wall portion 3, an internal passage 3a that extends in the axial direction of the tube wall portion 3, a closing portion 4 that is provided at the tip of the tube wall portion 3 and closes the tip of the internal passage 3a, and a discharge passage 3b that penetrates the tube wall portion 3, and is characterized in that the discharge passage 3b opens at the side and tip of the nozzle 2.

In such discharge members 1, 1A, it is preferable that the width W3 of the discharge passage 3b increases toward the tip of the nozzle 2. It is also preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the flow passage of the discharge passage 3b is approximately trapezoidal. Furthermore, it is preferable that a restriction 5b is provided upstream of the discharge passage 3b. It is also preferable that a nozzle joint 5 separate from the nozzle 2 is provided, and the base end 2b of the nozzle 2 is detachably attached to the nozzle joint 5. It is also preferable that a separate spout member 14 is provided, and the nozzle joint 5 is detachably attached to the spout member 14.

The aerosol product 10 of the present invention is characterized by comprising an aerosol container 11, a foamable content A filled in the aerosol container 11, and a discharge member 1, 1A described above that is provided on the aerosol container 11.

The discharge member and aerosol product of the present invention are formed by discharge passages that open to the sides and tip of the nozzle, and are discharged to the side and diagonally upward from the nozzle, so that the foamable discharge material is easily held in the nozzle without the need for bulging parts or steps, and the foam can be easily picked up. It is also possible to form a foamed discharge material with three-dimensional decorativeness, and to provide a discharge member and an aerosol product using the same.

When the width of the discharge passage widens toward the tip of the nozzle, it becomes easier to hold the discharged foamed material around the nozzle, promoting the integration of the foamed material and preventing the foamed material from breaking apart and scattering upwards without being integrated.

Even if the cross-sectional shape of the discharge passage is approximately trapezoidal, it is easy to retain the discharged foamed material around the nozzle.

When a constriction is provided upstream of the discharge passage, the material discharged from the stem hole of the aerosol container into the nozzle (hereinafter referred to as the material discharged in the nozzle) is easily foamed in the internal passage from the constriction to the discharge passage, making it easier to mold the material into the desired shape in the discharge passage, and making it possible to form bubbles with complex shapes.

If a nozzle joint is provided that is separate from the nozzle and the base end of the nozzle is removably attached to the nozzle joint, multiple nozzles can be easily used.

Furthermore, if a separate spout member is provided and the nozzle joint is removably attached to the spout member, multiple nozzle joints can be easily used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an aerosol product. 2A is a front view of the nozzle, FIG. 2B is a plan view of the nozzle, FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2D is a transverse cross-sectional view of the nozzle. 3A is a front view of the nozzle joint, FIG. 3B is a plan view of the nozzle joint, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle joint. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another discharge member.

"1. Overview"
First Embodiment
The aerosol product 10 in Fig. 1 comprises an aerosol container 11, a foamable content A filled in the aerosol container 11, and a discharge member 1 attached to the aerosol container 11. The aerosol container 11 is a conventionally known aerosol container, for example, comprising a container body 12 and an aerosol valve 13 attached to its opening. However, other conventionally known forms of aerosol container 11 may also be used. A mounting cup 13a of the aerosol valve 13 is fixed so as to cover the upper end of the container body 12. An annular protrusion 11a of the aerosol container 11 formed by the mounting cup 13a and the container body 12 serves as a locking portion for the spout member 14.

"2. Discharge parts, etc."
The discharge member 1 is attached to the aerosol container 11, and discharges the contents in the nozzle from the discharge passage 3b near the tip of the discharge member 1, forming it into a desired shape, and holding it. The discharge member 1 is composed of a spout member 14 and a foam control member 1a. The spout member 14 is composed of, for example, a cylindrical mounting part 15 that is attached to the aerosol container 11, and an operating part 16 that is connected to the mounting part 15 via a hinge part and arranged so as to be able to swing. The operating part 16 is attached to the stem 13b of the aerosol valve 13 of the aerosol container 11. A cylindrical nozzle base 16a protrudes upward from the top surface of the operating part 16. The top surface of the operating part 16 forms an operating surface 16b that is directly pressed down by a finger. By pressing down the operating surface 16b, the stem 13b can be pressed down or swung, and the foamable contents A in the aerosol container 11 can be supplied to the discharge member 1.

A foam control member 1a is attached to the tip of the nozzle base 16a. The foam control member 1a includes a nozzle 2 and a nozzle joint 5 that connects the nozzle 2 to the nozzle base 16a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 2 is composed of a substantially cylindrical tube wall portion 3, an inner surface of the tube wall portion 3, an internal passage 3a extending in the axial direction of the tube wall portion 3, a closing portion 4 provided at the tip of the tube wall portion 3 to close the tip of the internal passage 3a, and a plurality of discharge passages 3b penetrating the tube wall portion 3. The notch N constituting the discharge passage 3b extends in the axial direction of the nozzle 2. The notch N and the axial direction of the nozzle 2 are parallel. The notch N also reaches the tip surface 2a of the nozzle 2. In this state, it can also be said that the notch N penetrates the tip surface 2a of the nozzle 2. Therefore, the hole wall constituting the discharge passage 3b consists of the bottom edge portion 3c on the base end 2b side of the nozzle 2, the left and right side edge portions 3d, 3d that extend from the bottom edge portion 3c to the tip surface 2a of the nozzle 2, and the notch surface 4a of the closing portion 4.

The width W3 of the discharge passage 3b increases toward the tip of the nozzle 2. However, the width may be constant. The cross-sectional shape of the discharge passage 3b is approximately trapezoidal. However, it may be approximately V-shaped. There are six discharge passages 3b formed at equal intervals around the circumference of the nozzle 2. However, the number can be changed as appropriate, for example, 3 to 10, and preferably 4 to 8. The outer diameter D2 of the nozzle 2 is the same in the axial direction. In other words, the outer diameter does not change in the axial direction. The outer diameter D2 of the nozzle 2, the outer diameter D5 of the nozzle joint 5, and the outer diameter D16 of the nozzle base 16a are all equal, and when the nozzle 2, the nozzle joint 5, and the nozzle base 16a are connected, a single member with an outer diameter that does not change in the axial direction is completed (see Figure 1).

The closing portion 4 is a portion inside the inner surface of the tube wall portion 3 in a plan view. The closing portion 4 is integral with the tube wall portion 3. However, the closing portion 4 may be separate from the tube wall portion 3. The discharged material in the nozzle flowing through the internal passage 3a basically collides with the closing portion 4, changes its flow direction, and is discharged to the outside from the discharge passage 3b. However, the notch N reaches the closing portion 4 and cuts out the outer periphery of the closing portion 4. Therefore, a part of the discharged material in the nozzle is discharged to the outside from the tip of the nozzle 2 without colliding with the closing portion 4. This state can also be said to be provided with a collision avoidance portion E in the closing portion 4. It can also be said that the discharge passage 3b opens at the side and tip of the nozzle 2. It can also be said that the discharge passage 3b provides a continuous opening from the side to the tip of the nozzle 2.

The outer diameter D2 of the nozzle 2 is 3 to 15 mm, preferably 5 to 10 mm. The axial length L3b of the discharge passage 3b is 10 to 40 mm, preferably 15 to 35 mm. If it is less than 10 mm, it is difficult to hold the foamable discharge material and it is easy to drip, and if it is more than 40 mm, it is difficult to reach the closing part 4 of the nozzle 2 and it is difficult to form the desired shape in the discharge passage 3b. The width W3 of the discharge passage 3b (maximum value if the width varies) is 0.3 to 4 mm, preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. The inclination of the side edge portion 3d is 0 to 5 degrees with respect to the central axis of the nozzle 2, preferably 0.1 to 1. The wall thickness of the cylindrical wall portion 3 is 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably 0.8 to 3 mm. The diameter d3 of the internal passage 3a is 2.0 to 12 mm, preferably 2.5 to 10 mm.

This nozzle 2 can be injection molded using a pair of dies that move relative to each other in the axial direction of the nozzle 2. Specifically, a groove (hole) that follows the outer shape of the nozzle 2 is formed in the outer die, a protrusion that follows the inner shape of the nozzle 2 is formed in the inner die, and the resin is filled and hardened between the groove and the protrusion, and then one of the dies is moved relative to the axial direction of the nozzle 2 to mold the nozzle 2 having the above configuration. That is, since the notch N that constitutes the discharge passage 3b of the nozzle 2 reaches the tip surface 2a of the nozzle 2, the die can be removed in the axial direction of the nozzle 2, and the nozzle 2 can be easily and mass-produced. In particular, since the width W3 of the discharge passage 3b widens toward the tip of the nozzle 2, the die can be easily removed. In addition, the collision avoidance part E makes it difficult for a gap to form at the joint between the outer die and the inner die. If the notch N does not reach the tip surface 2a of the nozzle 2, the die needs to be removed toward the side of the nozzle 2, which makes the production complicated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle joint 5 includes a substantially cylindrical nozzle mounting portion 6 on which the nozzle 2 is mounted, a substantially cylindrical nozzle base mounting portion 7 on which the nozzle base 16a is mounted, an annular step portion 8 provided between the nozzle mounting portion 6 and the nozzle base mounting portion 7, and a communication passage 5a that communicates from the nozzle mounting portion 6 to the nozzle base mounting portion 7. A restriction 5b is provided at the tip of the nozzle mounting portion 6. The flow path area of the communication passage 5a is narrowed by this restriction 5b. The restriction 5b is located upstream of the discharge passage 3b of the nozzle 2 when the nozzle joint 5 and the nozzle 2 are connected. The outer diameter D5 of the annular step portion 8 is the same as the outer diameter D2 of the nozzle 2. The outer diameter D6 of the nozzle mounting portion 6 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the base end portion 2b of the nozzle 2. The nozzle mounting portion 6 is detachably fitted into the base end portion 2b of the nozzle 2, so that the communication passage 5a communicates with the internal passage 3a. The outer diameter D7 of the nozzle base mounting part 7 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the nozzle base 16a. The nozzle joint 5 is attached to the spout member 14 by removably fitting the nozzle base mounting part 7 into the nozzle base 16a, and the foamable contents (discharged material in the nozzle) can be supplied from the aerosol container 11 to the communication passage 5a.

The diameter d5 of the communication passage 5a is 1.5 to 10 mm, preferably 2 to 5 mm. The hole diameter do of the orifice 5b is 0.5 to 3 mm, preferably 0.8 to 2.7 mm. If the hole diameter do of the orifice 5b is 0.5 mm or less, the supply amount of the discharged material in the nozzle becomes too small, and it is difficult to form it in the discharge passage without reaching the closing part of the nozzle, and if the hole diameter do of the orifice 5b is 3 mm or more, the supply amount of the discharged material in the nozzle becomes too large, and it is easy to drip from the nozzle. In addition, the relationship between the diameter d3 of the internal passage, the diameter d5 of the communication passage, and the hole diameter do of the orifice 5b is preferably d3>d5>do. With this relationship, the discharged material in the nozzle foams in the communication passage, the supply amount is adjusted by the orifice, and it moves from the internal passage to the discharge passage at an appropriate speed, so that a foamed discharged material with three-dimensional decorativeness is formed and easily retained.

The foam control member 1a may be made of synthetic resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), nylon (NY) or polyacetal (POM), or a thin-walled metal pipe such as aluminum. When metal is used, the foam control member 1a may be made of metal and the spout member 14 may be molded from the aforementioned synthetic resin. The spout member 14 may be any conventionally known material. For example, it may be one that can be attached to a container filled with a foamable content using a screw mechanism.

Specific examples of the foamable contents A include household products such as deodorants, air fresheners, insect repellents, and disinfectants, face washes, cleaning agents, bath additives, moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansing agents, skin care products such as skin care products such as skin treatments, styling agents, and hair dyes, and foods such as whipped cream. The foamable contents A are composed of a concentrate containing an active ingredient for the above-mentioned use and a propellant that foams the concentrate. Examples of the propellant include aliphatic hydrocarbons with 3 to 5 carbon atoms such as propane, butane, and pentane, liquefied gases such as hydrofluoroolefins and dimethyl ether, and compressed gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and compressed air. Among them, it is preferable to use a concentrate containing surfactants such as fatty acid soaps, monosaccharides, polyhydric alcohols, etc., in terms of excellent foam forming and shape retention, and the foamed discharged product can be easily formed into the desired shape, and further to use liquefied gas as the propellant.

"3. Methods for forming foamed extrusions, etc."
When the operation surface 16b (see FIG. 4) of the spout member 14 is pressed down and the stem 13b is lowered or swung, the foamable contents A in the aerosol container 11 is discharged from the stem 13b and supplied to the spout member 14. The nozzle discharge (foamable contents discharged from the stem hole and supplied into the spout member 14) supplied to the spout member 14 passes through the nozzle base 16a and enters the nozzle joint 5. Since the nozzle joint 5 is provided with a throttle 5b, the supply amount to the internal passage 3a is throttled by the throttle 5b, and foaming of the nozzle discharge in the communication passage 5a is suppressed. The nozzle discharge supplied to the internal passage 3a through the throttle 5b foams here and flows through the internal passage 3a of the nozzle 2, and most of it collides with the closing part 4, slowing down the flow rate and changing the flow direction, and is discharged from the discharge passage 3b sideways and diagonally upward. Since the discharge passage 3b is slit-shaped, the discharged nozzle discharge is initially formed into a plate shape. However, it is curved irregularly due to the influence of gravity and the pressure of the discharged matter discharged one after another from behind. In addition, since a plurality of discharge passages 3b are provided, bubbles (foamed discharged matter) having a decorative flower shape are formed on the outer periphery of the nozzle 2. The flower shape is, for example, a carnation or a celosia.

The aerosol product 10 of the present invention may be used by placing the foamed discharged material held in the discharge member 1 at an entrance or in a room, etc., and evaporating the active ingredient from the foamed discharged material into the room, or by scooping up the foamed discharged material held in the discharge member 1 with the hand and applying it to the desired area such as the body. Since a single member with an unchanged outer diameter in the axial direction is created by connecting the nozzle 2, the nozzle joint 5, and the nozzle base 16a, the foam adhering around the nozzle 2 can be easily removed by squeezing it toward the tip of the nozzle 2. In addition, since the aerosol product 10 of the present invention is equipped with a detachable nozzle joint 5, it is possible to prepare multiple nozzles 2 with different shapes and numbers of discharge passages 3b, and to replace the nozzles 2 as needed. It is also possible to prepare multiple nozzle joints 5 with different aperture diameters do of the orifices 5b, and to replace the nozzle joints 5 as needed.

Figure 5 shows a different discharge member 1A of the present invention. This discharge member 1A does not have the nozzle joint 5. The communication passage 5a is formed by the inner surface of the nozzle base 16a. In addition, the restriction 5b is provided at the tip of the nozzle base 16a. The outer diameter of the nozzle base 16a near the tip is smaller than the other parts, so that the nozzle 2 can be detachably fitted onto the outside. The other configurations are the same as those of the discharge member 1.

In this discharge member 1A, the relationship between the internal passage diameter d3, the communication passage diameter d5, and the aperture diameter do of the orifice 5b is d3>d5>do. The nozzle 2 is the same as that of the discharge member 1. Therefore, it has the same effect as the discharge member 1.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the nozzle joint 5 is provided with a restriction 5b, but the nozzle 2 may be provided with a restriction, or the nozzle base 16a may be provided with a restriction.

1, 1A Discharge member 1a Foam control member 2 Nozzle 2a Nozzle tip surface 2b Nozzle base end 3 Cylindrical wall portion 3a Internal passage 3b Discharge passage 3c Bottom edge portion 3d Side edge portion 4 Closure portion 4a Notch surface N Notch 5 Nozzle joint 5a Communication passage 5b Constriction 6 Nozzle mounting portion 7 Nozzle base mounting portion 8 Annular step portion 10 Aerosol product 11 Aerosol container 11a Convex portion 12 Container body 13 Aerosol valve 13a Mounting cup 13b Stem 14 Spout member 15 Mounting portion 16 Operation portion 16a Nozzle base 16b Operation surface A Foamable content E Collision avoidance portion D2 Outer diameter d3 of nozzle Inner passage diameter D5 Outer diameter d5 of nozzle joint Diameter of communication passage D6 Outer diameter D7 of nozzle mounting portion Outer diameter D16 of nozzle base mounting portion Outer diameter do of nozzle base Diameter of constriction W3 Width of discharge passage L3b Length of side edge

Claims (10)

A discharge member attached to an aerosol container filled with a foamable content,
A substantially cylindrical wall portion;
an internal passage formed by an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall portion and extending in an axial direction of the cylindrical wall portion;
a closing portion provided at a tip of the cylindrical wall portion and closing a tip of the internal passage;
a nozzle having a discharge passage penetrating the cylindrical wall portion,
The discharge passage is open at the side and at the tip of the nozzle, and the axial length of the discharge passage is 10 to 40 mm, and the axial length of the internal passage is longer than the axial length of the discharge passage, thereby retaining the foamed discharged material discharged from the nozzle.
A discharge member , wherein a cutout defining the discharge passage extends in an axial direction of the nozzle, and the cutout is parallel to the axial direction of the nozzle . 2. The discharge member of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the nozzle does not vary axially. 3. The discharge member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tip of the nozzle is flat. 4. A discharge member as described in claim 1, wherein the hole wall of the discharge passage has a bottom edge portion on the base end side of the nozzle, left and right side edges extending from the bottom edge portion to the tip surface of the nozzle, and a cutout surface of a closing portion . 5. A discharge member according to claim 1, wherein the width of the discharge passage increases toward the tip of the nozzle. 6. The discharge member according to claim 5 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the discharge passage is substantially trapezoidal. 7. The discharge member according to claim 1, further comprising a throttle provided upstream of the discharge passage. 8. The discharge member according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle joint separate from the nozzle, the base end of the nozzle being detachably attached to the nozzle joint. 9. The dispensing member of claim 8 , further comprising a separate spout member, the nozzle joint being removably attached to the spout member. An aerosol container;
A foamable content filled in the aerosol container;
10. An aerosol product comprising the aerosol container and the discharge member according to claim 1 provided in the aerosol container.

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